Object Record

Object Name

Flag

Catalog Number

1976.110.15a

Maker

Hugh Wilkins

Date

ca. 1861

Material(s)

Silk

Dimensions

H-71.75 W-75 inches

Description

This is the Regimental Color for the 17th Kentucky Infantry. There is a blue field with a gold fringe, it has a center emblem. Probably of the state seal which is now missing. There is a gold outlined ribbon with the units name.

Notes

Some of our Civil War era flags are in terrible shape. A big reason for this is how they were originally made. Harsh dyes used to color fabrics (especially silk) resulted in the material breaking apart and shattering. Painted areas typically remain more intact but paint does not allow free movement of the fabric and thus contributes to the fracturing of adjacent areas.

Ironically wool and cotton flags, which were less expensive to produce, are far more stable than silk flags. These flags in our collection remain largely intact and in far better condition than their silk counterparts.

Many of the Civil War era flags in our collection cannot be physically displayed without causing further damage. KHS stores flags flat in a stable environment. Our goal is to slow the deterioration as much as possible.